Desmopachria tambopatensis Miller

Miller, Kelly B., 2005, Four new species of Desmopachria Babington from Peru (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Zootaxa 1059, pp. 39-47 : 45-46

Desmopachria tambopatensis Miller , new species

( Figs.14–17 )

Diagnosis. This species cannot be readily assigned to any species group of Desmopachria . The dorsal surface is immaculate. The male genitalia are diagnostic ( Figs. 14–17 ). The male median lobe is very broad, apically truncate and strong curved dorsad apically ( Figs.14, 15 ). In lateral aspect it is very slender ( Fig. 15 ). The lateral lobe is relatively broad in ventral and lateral aspects with the apex flattened, truncate and bent dorsad ( Figs.16, 17 ).

Description. Measurements. TL = 1.68–1.76 mm; GW = 1.09–1.16 mm; TL/GW = 1.52–1.54. Habitus. Size relatively small; body robust, broadly rounded laterally, somewhat attenuate posteriorly; greatest width medially. Coloration. Head and pronotum yellow; elytron light yellow­brown. Antennae, palpi, sterna and legs yellow. Sculpture and structure. Head with very fine, scattered punctures; anterior clypeal margin dorsoventrally compressed and distinctly beaded across entire margin between eyes; antennae short, scape and pedicel enlarged, antennomeres V–X short and anteriorly lobed. Pronotum moderately long, broad, very finely and inconspicuously punctate, slightly more coarsely punctate along posterior margins; without basal striae; lateral pronotal margins rounded, more rounded anteriorly; lateral bead fine. Elytron very finely and obscurely punctate, with slight sutural stria anteromedially; epipleuron not punctate. Prosternum very short, with low posteromedial tubercle. Prosternal process moderately broad, broadly angulate apically. Metasternum, metacoxae and abdomen with few, scattered, fine punctures. Posteromedial surface of abdominal ventrite IV with a distince subapical crease or groove. Legs not modified. Male genitalia ( Figs.14–17 ). Median lobe in dorsal aspect elongate, broad, apically gradually expanded and broadly truncate, hyaline, membranous, especially basally, laterally with a medial emargination ( Fig.14 ); in lateral aspect very slender and straight in basal two­thirds, slender and strongly curved dorsad apically ( Fig.15 ). Lateral lobe in dorsal aspect moderately broad, with parallel lateral margins, apex broadly truncate ( Fig.16 ), in lateral aspect broad at based, gradually narrowed apically, apex slender, parallel­sided, directed obliquely dorsad, with several distinct setae on dorsal and ventral margins ( Fig. 17 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latinized adjective tambopatensis derived from the name of the type locality of this species.

Discussion. Many of the species of Desmopachria are assignable to several species groups primarily based on characters of the male genitalia, but also certain external characters in some cases. Several species of Desmopachria (currently 14), however, are not assignable to any of the currently recognized species groups. This is the case with D. tambopatensis which does not have any obvious affinities with any other species in the genus. The species of Desmopachria not assigned to a species group can be identified using the synopsis by Miller (2001).

Material Examined. Holotype: ɗ labeled, “ PERU: Rio Tambopata Explorer’s Inn – jnct. Rio Tower 12º50’12”S 069º17’36”W 10 Dec 2003 K.B. Miller / HOLOTYPE Desmopachria tambopatensis K.B. Miller, 2004 [red label with double black line border].” Paratypes: 5, same data as holotype except ‘‘.../ PARATYPE Desmopachria tambopatensis K.B. Miller, 2004 [blue label with black line border].”

Figures

FIGURES 4 – 17. Desmopachria species, male genitalia: 4 – 5 — D. pilosa; 4 — aedeagus, dorsal aspect; 5 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect. 6 – 9 — D. balionota; 6 — median lobe, dorsal aspect; 7 — median lobe, right lateral aspect; 8 — right lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 9 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect. 10 – 13 — D. annae; 10 — median lobe, dorsal aspect; 11 — median lobe, right lateral aspect; 12 — right lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 13 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect. 14 – 17 — D. tambopatensis; 14 — median lobe, dorsal aspect; 15 — median lobe, right lateral aspect; 16 — right lateral lobe, dorsal aspect; 17 — right lateral lobe, right lateral aspect.